CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa invites Iowa's communities to participate in "Reaching for Higher Ground: Community after 9/11." This series reflects on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, a time for remembrance, honor, understanding and discussion of why 9/11 happened and its impact on the UNI, Iowa and world community.

A series of signature events is planned for the fall to promote conversation around the Sept. 11 attacks, while honoring those lost, the survivors and discussing the impact to U.S. foreign and domestic policies.

Events include:

Sunday, Sept. 11, 8 a.m. â€“ noon, Flag Planting Remembrance in Lawther Field on the UNI campus. Students, faculty and staff are invited to plant a flag for each person who lost their life on 9/11. A moment of silence will be held at 8:37 a.m., 8:59 a.m., 9:03 a.m. and 9:28 a.m. (CST), to commemorate the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m., "Remembrance: 9/11 Ten Years Later," at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC). This special collaboration between the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Metropolitan Chorale, Red Cedar Chamber Music and Theatre UNI will feature a unique mix of memorial music coupled with multimedia and dramatic readings of the evening's themes.

Monday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., "Photographing Ground Zero," at the GBPAC. Joel Meyerowitz is the creator of the World Trade Center Archive and will share pictures of his monumental work of the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack. He also shares stories of the people he met, his personal experiences and his personal response to this tragedy.

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m., faculty panel "9/11: A 10-Year Retrospective," at the GBPAC. A panel of UNI faculty members will discuss questions such as why 9/11 happened; what, if anything, could have been done to prevent it; did the attackers achieve their goals; did the U.S. respond adequately; has our understanding of why it happened changed in the last 10 years? The audience is invited to bring their questions and reflections to the discussion.

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m., documentary film "11'09"01 â€“ September 11," at the GBPAC. Eleven directors from 11 countries each contribute an 11-minute short film reflecting on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

"UNI's Reaching for Higher Ground project aims to engage students and community members in civil dialogue and critical thinking by examining critical issues from multiple perspectives," said Steve Carignan, assistant vice president and executive director of the GBPAC. "'Community After 9/11'" allows individuals an opportunity for self-reflection and education about societal factors and differences that may unite and divide us at times, but in the end, define us as a community."

For more information about Reaching For Higher Ground and fall events, visit www.uni.edu/higherground or contact Steve Carignan, assistant vice president and executive director of GBPAC, 319-273-3665.